Of birthday celebrations & new beginnings- August 2012

Our niece, Sheldon held her one-year old celebration at Changi and Gerrard had such fun catching up (literally- when they were running all around) with his cousins. And aren't me so glad that I had finally changed my camera and managed to capture candid shots of the beautiful kids. Seeing them playing and laughing so unconditionally made me feel that childhood is such a precious stage in life where we can enjoy ourselves without a care for the rest of the world =)

 Testing out my new camera- finally some decent pictures after so long

 

 

 With Cousin Belva

 With Cousins Belva & Liv

 

 

 

 Happy Birthday Sheldon - May you grow up pretty and healthy!

Towards the end of August 2012, Soka Kindergarten had a "Celebration of Learning" night at the end of Term 3 where parents and kids were invited to school in the evening that showcased what was taught in that school term. The classroom was transformed into a "zoo" where a variety of animal crafts and works greeted us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 2012 is also the month where I signed Gerrard up for class at Eye Level (previously known as E.nopi) I have never heard of this school and happened to chance upon it by walking past Tampines West Community Centre. This came at an apt timing as I was starting to teach Gerrard how to do 2-digit additions. He got the concept very quickly but when it came to subtractions, I was unsure of how to teach him the "borrowing technique" eg. 12-7 where 2 can't minus 7 and needs to borrow from 1. I was concerned that the method I am trying to teach may not be correct and confuse him further when he eventually learns it from school in future. 

I gave Eye Level a call and arrange for a free assessment as Eye Level is based on an educational principle where students learn at their own pace. Hence, even if you are a 4 year old, you may not be put into a "4 year old" class as different child has different pace of learning. The diagnostic assessment results determines the level you should be starting at in the Eye Level curriculum. In class, the teacher goes through a concept with you and you will be given workbooks to do at home everyday until the next lesson where the teacher checks what you've done, correct you if necessary and assess if you can move on to the next concept. This form of self directed learning allows the student to learn at their own pace and I pretty like it. After confirming that the curriculum is aligned with MOE, I decided on a Thursday class for him and a big plus point it also that the centre is a stone's throw from Grandma's house so it saves a lot of time for them to bring him to and fro class. 

Gerrard has been enjoying the classes so far and I find both teachers very nice and approachable. I did a search online about the company and below is an extract from the chairman's autobiography:

"There are six virtues that a learner-individual must possess: 1) diehard "attitude" of competitiveness 2) "humanity" that conditions us against conceit; 3) "principles" that guard against temptation; 4) "passion" acquired through the spirit of sportsmanship; 5) "possibility" as the power that helps to achieve goals and 6) "effort" as the only force that can defeat natural talent."

Couldn't agree further.